Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025: ‘No doubt’ England beat South Africa to make final, says Alex Hartley
England’s bowling has been impressive since the start of the tournament; particularly the spin trio of Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean, but they will be nervously awaiting the fitness of the starter, who injured her shoulder against the White Ferns.
The batting line-up has caused more concern but openers Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones, who added their fourth fifty-plus stand in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, have started to find their rhythm at a very opportune time.
“There were a lot of questions about Jones and Beaumont’s ability to play the ball up top,” added Hartley.
“Tammy has made a change and is batting better now and looking a lot more comfortable. “She would have liked to have had more runs against New Zealand but that opening partnership is just starting to improve as we get into the nitty gritty.
“That’s what you want; you want to play your best cricket as we enter the final stages.”
Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt were fluent throughout but there are still question marks in the middle order, which coach Charlotte Edwards rejected against New Zealand but they were not needed in the eight-wicket win.
Emma Lamb, who struggled in the sixth with 36 runs in five innings, was dropped to replace Danni Wyatt-Hodge, while Alice Capsey was scheduled to come in at five instead of seven, replacing the out-of-form Sophia Dunkley.
England must be ready to adapt as they pivot from the flatter pitches of Indore and Vizag to the slow, spin-friendly surface of Guwahati; India and Australia will compete in the second half in Navi Mumbai, which will host the final on November 2.
